Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued a number of Quality Control Standards covering wide varieties of products being sold in the Indian markets. Many of these Standards are voluntary and some of them are mandatory. In case of foreign manufacturers, they need obtain a certificate under Foreign Manufacturers’ Certification Scheme (FMCS) of BIS. In this article, let us explore various nuances of obtaining FMCS license as below:
1. FMCS License is granted to a foreign manufacturer for use of their standard mark on a product that conforms to an Indian Standard.
2. This Scheme is applicable to all products except electronics and IT goods notified by Meity which sperate certification scheme is in place.
3. Machinery: The applicant must have requisite manufacturing infrastructure to manufacture the product as per Indian Standard. The applicant must have all the machineries installed at the applicant’s manufacturing premises. In case of outsourced activity, the outsourced process shall ensure testing the quality of final product at the applicant’s manufacturing premises.
4. Test Equipment and Calibration: The applicant shall possess the requisite test facilities in-house as per relevant Indian Standard at the factory address. Test equipment must have valid and attached calibration certificate. In case of non-availability of in-house facilities, the applicant must have an arrangement with BIS recognized outside lab for testing.
5. QC Personnel: The applicant must have employed qualified and experienced Quality Control personnel on permanent basis and be ready with the qualification certificates and appointment letters.
6. Raw Materials: In case of specified raw materials used in the process of manufacturing as per the Standard, the test reports/supplier’s test certificates shall state these specifications have been met with.
7. Plant Layout: Copy of the plant layout must clearly specify the locations of machinery, laboratory, office, workshop, amenities, storage areas and others.
8. Test Report: The test report as attached with the application must be from in-house or independent laboratory covering all requirements of the Indian Standard. In case of opting for Simplified Procedure, the test reports must be in original and not older than one month from the date of application and must cover all requirements of the Standard.
9. In case of Simplified Procedure, the applicant shall stop marking if the verified sample does not conform to the relevant Indian Standards. The corrective steps must be taken within one month or the license shall be cancelled.
10. Nomination of an Indian Resident as Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) is mandatory at the time of submission of application. Generally, a senior Indian member of Indian branch or a resident foreign national can be appointed as AIR. One AIR can represent only one firm.
11. In case of a branch /Indian office, approval of establishment of RBI must be attached.
12. Fees of application is USD 1,000/-. But the applicant shall bear the inspection charges for all the inspections to be carried out by BIS at the premises, before the grant of license, including arrangements and costs incidental for travel and stay, visa, insurance, translator etc.
13. The applicant will furnish a Performance Bank Guarantee to BIS of USD $10,000/- from a bank having its branch in India in prescribed form on the letterhead of the bank.
14. Application in prescribed form is to be filed to FMC Department at BIS head office in Delhi.
15. Separate application needs to be filed for each product for each factory location.
In case you are planning for enter Indian market and sell you products, or need any support or have any query, you may like to connect with us.
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Abhinarayan Mishra FCA, FCS, LL.B, IP, RV; Partner, KPAM & Associates, Chartered Accountants, New Delhi ; +91 9910744992; [email protected]; [email protected]
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